It's 0.01% exactly because old phones are not supported, it would be higher it they were. If phone companies ramp up prices then just don't buy them at those prices. I'll say it doesn't have to be 7 years, but maybe 4-5 would be reasonable.
well, who's to say they will not jack up the price of the lower end device to "offset" the cost of the extended support? I'm not talking only about the flagship. I'm also talking about $100 and $200 new phones. won't people want nice and affordable new android phone? I'm pretty sure 5 or 7 years of support will never be associated with the term affordable.
I am not sure if Germany or EU actually thought through before asking manufacturers to extend support. 5 years is a quite a long time, and 7 is very long. While on the surface, it seems that consumers will benefit from it, but in actual fact, if this comes to past, consumers will just pay more upfront for their devices. Longer support is a liability and cost to the manufacturers. And since this is specific to the EU, it is not impossible for them to sell the devices there at a price that will cover for the cost of support.
well said, exactly my point.